MONTREAL—Venezuela’s ambassador to Canada is being expelled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The decision comes two days after Venezuela expelled Canada’s top diplomat in Caracas.
Venezuelan ambassador Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernandez had already been withdrawn by his government to protest Canadian sanctions against senior Venezuelan officials.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland addressed the heightened tensions between Ottawa and Caracas in a statement, which read: “Canadians will not stand by as the Government of Venezuela robs its people of their fundamental democratic and human rights, and denies them access to basic humanitarian assistance.”
Canadian-Venezuelan David Ramirez moved to Montreal in 1993. He’s been pushing for democracy in his home country ever since.
He says Fernandez was one of the “key players” who supported Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during his rise to power.
According to Ramirez, the recently ousted ambassador was tasked with making sure nobody stood in Maduro’s way, even if it required “bringing out the tanks.”
Under Maduro’s rule, Venezuela has experienced a humanitarian crisis and the suppression of political dissent. Inflation has devastated the economy as Venezuelans struggle to make ends meet.
- Molly the magpie: Famous bird separated from dog best friend, sparking petition
- Baltimore bridge collapse: Cargo ship underwent engine maintenance before crash
- Harvard University removes human skin binding from infamous library book
- Powerball jackpot surpasses $1.26 billion. Can Canadians buy a ticket?
Escaping the chaos and hoping for a brighter future, Claudia and Kaarina Lopez left Venezuela at a young age. Their parents came with them to Montreal, but they still have extended family back home.
Claudia welcomes Canada’s decision to expel Venezuela’s top diplomat, hoping the move could help bring about positive change in Caracas. She says she believes the action could help make the world aware of Venezuela’s “human rights violations.”
As a dual national, Kaarina is torn when she sees her two homelands at odds. “It is sad to see the relations break. Being on good terms with a country like Canada is very beneficial to Venezuela,” she noted.
Pressure on the Maduro regime has been increasing in recent months. In August, the United States imposed financial sanctions on Venezuela after labeling Maduro a “dictator.”
In September, Canada followed suit, imposing sanctions against 40 Venezuelan senior officials to punish the government of Venezuela for “anti-democratic behaviour.”
Comments